Steering wheel rubber coating is Peeling

[thai357sig]

Has anyone noticed any peeling of the rubber coating on the spokes of their steering wheel. Mine has started this summer, just at the top corners where my hands make the most contact. I asked my service advisor about it and he says it isn't a warranty item. It looks pretty shitty for a $70K car.

[calintexas]

Sounds like something that should be a warranty issue. Please post pictures of the issue.

[Mavrick151]

it should be taken care of under your new car warranty.

[montreal red]

depends on the dealer. some dealers dont consider those things warranty items. kind of like having cracked leather seats after heavy use, theyre not going to give you a new seat cos its considered normal wear.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by montreal red

depends on the dealer. some dealers dont consider those things warranty items. kind of like having cracked leather seats after heavy use, theyre not going to give you a new seat cos its considered normal wear.

Yes, the dealer decides.

I was denied a steering wheel replacement in my MY2004 E46 M3 after the leather simply started desintegrating in about two years or so of ownership.

Fast forward 2010... I got a new steering wheel, airbag and buttons trim replacement from another dealership for my MY2008 E90 M3, after the same desintegrating leather started to show up in less than two years of ownership.

[SS32]

Mine does it too, as does the coating on the inside of the door handle/small compartment thing in front of the armrest.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by thai357sig

I asked my service advisor about it and he says it isn't a warranty item.

go to a different dealer or different service advisor
mine did the same thing

[punksterz626]

mine started peeling at the edge of the plastic piece at the center of the steering wheel. Brought it to the dealer and they swap it out for me. Its under warranty.

[swamp2]

Yes, have the same. I think mine is partially my fault though as I'm pretty sure a quick scratch with a sharp finger nail causes this.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Technic

Fast forward 2010... I got a new steering wheel, airbag and buttons trim replacement from another dealership for my MY2008 E90 M3, after the same desintegrating leather started to show up in less than two years of ownership.

May I ask what the hell do you do with your hands?Unless you have calluses resembling sharp rock formations, how do you manage to do that?
But yes, excessive wear is not an objective call; that's when a friendly dealer bats for you .

[quality_sound]

I saw this same thing on VWs as well. It was usually because people were using lotion on their hands. The lotion eats away the coating on the plastic.

[Leg]

On the spokes at the back past the stereo buttons? Mine has peeled there. I was considering one of those carbon replacements but I didnt fany the job. Maybe get it wrapped?

Never thought about warranty, I assumed it would be wear and tear?

[I Wanna go Fast!]

Yup, same here. Thankfully the Germans have mainly gotten off the rubber touch kick. My 2003 A4 had rubber touch on everything (knobs, buttons, etc) and it wore off very quickly.

[jrlee53]

Didn't even realize it was rubber coated. Great, another thing to worry about.

[henryyxyu]

normal wear and tear. gloves should help a little (if you don't mind looking like a ass ).

though i think this is a good reason to swap out that wheel for an alcantara wheel lol

[farbarg]

yep, had the same issue. Dealer replaced steering wheel center. I've also had window switch driver's side replaced and the center console under the idrive controller. All because of this film deterioration and all under 22k miles on the clock. Pretty crappy really. Now I always wash my hands before driving if I've put on sunscreen (or on my kids), which is often in socal.

[SunnyD]

I have no idea why BMW uses this type of material but rubbing it all off makes the steering wheel actually look pretty good lol. That's what I'm resorting to on my m5

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by quality_sound

I saw this same thing on VWs as well. It was usually because people were using lotion on their hands. The lotion eats away the coating on the plastic.

+1

No joke here. Hand lotion dissolves the letters off keyboards. I buy keyboards 10 at a time for work these days.

[kmarei]

just went today for the same thing
replaced under warranty, the new one is not rubber coated
its just matte plastic
so obviously they know they had a quality issue
while installing the trim the tech guy scratched my steering wheel
so i get a new one tomorrow

[SUB-ZERO]

I had mine replaced under warranty.

-SZ

[skywalker562]

i just noticed another day. i guess i am not alone

[PortoM3]

pictures please